Aspects Patterns:

Aspect Patterns Involve 3 or More Heavenly Bodies:

Often, an Aspect between two planets does not occur in isolation, but links up with one or more planets in the chart to form a network of planetary contacts known as an Aspect Pattern. These patterns are considered to be extremely important because they point to dynamic, complex and often contradictory traits within our psychological make-up. Frequently, they provide the key that unlocks the rest of the chart. An Aspect Pattern may consist of a number of aspects belonging to the same aspect group – for example, a series of interconnecting conjunctions or squares … or a blend of groups, such as three interlinking trines joining up with an opposition.

Aspect Patterns can also involve the Ascendant or MC at one end of the configuration instead of a planet … for instance, two planets in opposition both square the Ascendant. In this case, the Ascendant is treated as if it were a planet because it acts as a funnel through which the energies of the other planets are ‘discharged.’

It is also not uncommon for a chart to have more than one Aspect Pattern … sometimes, two Aspect Patterns are linked by one or more planets, setting up an extremely powerful flow of energies. When this happens, a chart is said to be well integrated because it connects several facets of the psyche … a chart with few interlinking aspects suggests difficulties with finding an inner sense of unity. The more planets involved in an Aspect Pattern, the more dominant its overall effect is likely to be. This is especially true when the orbs between the aspects in the pattern are close … however, it is usual to allow wider-than-normal orbs in Aspect Patterns because the complex of planets magnifies the aspects’ sphere of influence. As a rule, allow 2° more than the orbs suggested for the individual aspects.

Very few charts are devoid of Aspect Patterns, as any two planets in aspect that also link up with other planets, set up a flow of energies. It is not unusual, however, for none of the recognized Aspect Patterns to appear in a chart. This does not mean that the individual concerned has a “weak” chart … it is simply that the focus of planetary energies is less localized and therefore less intense. A chart’s basic dynamics can be determined as much by the overall pattern created by the positions of the planets as by any particular aspect configuration.

With respect to the various potential aspect patterns mentioned throughout, if we are accurately interpreting the texts, these ‘multiple’ major aspects [like multiple candidates for the Grand Cross and the Grand Trine] are actually considered as one major aspect and the planets in close proximity are considered ‘ameliorating’ in their influence and not considered as a second aspect pattern in their own right. Which begs the question of which combination of planets make up the actual aspect and which planets are the ameliorating influences? The answer most probably lies with the planetary protocol of the Heavenly Bodies under consideration.

Dissociate Patterns:

Just as with the dissociate aspects, dissociate Aspect Patterns can only happen when the planets concerned fall near the end or the beginning of their respective Signs. A dissociate Grand Trine for instance, occurs when one planet in the triangle falls in a different Element from the other two … because it occupies an incompatible Sign, the flow of energy is less stable than a ‘pure’ Grand Trine … by the same token, dissociate Grand Crosses and T-Squares are softer versions of their ‘pure’ form, toning down the overall level of tension. In the case of the Grand Cross, two of the ‘arms’ can fall in Signs of a different Quality … the same principle applies to a dissociate Stellium, which spans neighboring Signs.

The Stellium:

The Stellium, also known as the Satellitium, meaning “cluster of stars,” is a fairly common aspect pattern consisting of a minimum of three – some astrologers insist on four – or more planets in a chain of interconnecting conjunctions. Even if the first and last planet in the Stellium are technically “out of orb,” they still must be considered as linked through the conjunctions they make to the planets in-between. Because the planetary energies operate in concert, the Stellium is a particularly intense aspect pattern. When positively channeled, such a powerful concentration of energies can produce remarkable results … but the down side is that it can prove extremely difficult for people with this configuration to consider any standpoint other than their own. To determine which planet is the more dominant force, establish the relative strengths and weaknesses of each planet in the Stellium. Also, check whether any other planets or one of the Angles is in close aspect to one of the planets in the Stellium, as this will modify the overall expression of the pattern.

A somewhat less common variation on this theme is the ‘see-saw’ pattern or multiple opposition, where one Stellium opposes another. This pattern blends the intensity of the conjunction with the conflict of the opposition in a way that can be extremely dynamic … but, because of the subjective quality of the conjunction and the unconscious projection of energies that invariably occurs with the opposition, there is a tendency to swing uncontrollably from one extreme to another. When handled constructively, this aspect pattern bestows the ability to see both sides of an issue and to strike a happy balance between opposing interests and activities.

A Stellium is a group of planets in one area of the zodiac, usually in the same Sign and containing multiple conjunctions. The planets so configured are extremely important because an aspect from another planet elsewhere in the chart to any one planet in the group involves all of the planets. Sometimes, four or five planets are spread out the length of the Sign, so that a planet in an early degree is technically “out of orb” of aspect to a planet in a late degree … but if the early-degree planet is in orb of aspect to a planet in a later degree and this second planet is in orb of aspect with still another planet in a later degree and so on, a “domino” effect is produced that unites all the planets in a massive configuration much like a conjunction. In this case, a planet aspecting any one planet of the Stellium must be considered as aspecting all the planets. This is an extremely complex situation requiring considerable analysis to arrive at a proper synthesis. It generally indicates a person who is enormously complex.